Hi guys!

This is a standard, ya bilge rat, two-stage kit with balsa fins, cardboard tubes and clear directions and packaging.

I bought an Estes "Long Tom" two-stage rocket kit many months ago durin' a sale, me bucko, and have just set down over Thanksgivin' t' build it.  It went very well, me hearties, but I have a few pointers that I would suggest  be added  in any future editions o' t' instructions.

1) There is no instruction on how deep t' insert part E "Stage Coupler" #030175-5 when gluin' into t' booster stage.  It be me experience that it sank in as far as t' Motor Mount assemble allowed, with t' rest o' t' coupler protrudin' out.  I thought a line describin' t' amount expected t' be stickin' out might help.

2) While t' Booster Fins are rounded in t' leadin' edge, thar be no similar instruction for t' Upper section Fins.  Is this correct, me bucko, or an oversight?  Or is it assumed that ALL fins will have t' leadin' edge rounded?

3) T' Second Stage Fin Attachment instruction does nay indicate how far t' second stage fins should be attached from t' end o' t' body tube.

4) In t' diagram for t' Launch Lug Attachment, matey, t' LL line is mis-labeled as FL.  That might position t' launch lug in line with a fin. This typo should be corrected t' LL.

5) Finally, and most important, me bucko, ya bilge rat, when assemblin' t' motor mount for BOTH stages, me hearties, me bucko, shiver me timbers, it is very easy t' overlook which end o' t' mount t' engine block B #030224 is t' be inserted.  It appears that in t' Booster Engine mount Assembly, shiver me timbers, t' block is in t' lower end, where 5/8" is measured.  However, matey, me hearties, t' Second Stage Engine Mount Assembly shows t' UPPER Engine Block should be inserted from t' top, matey, me bucko, where t' 1/8" mark is located.   I don't think this difference is emphasized enough... Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! and I missed it...insertin' t' blocks from t' bottom both times.

My only solution is t' reverse t' Second Stage Engine Mount when installing, shiver me timbers, so that t' block is in t' upper end. Arrr! This also meant I had t' dry fit t' Stage Coupler t' allow sufficient room in t' base o' t' second stage body tube for t' Coupler t' fit before it struck t' motor mount assembly.  I was able t' do this and glue t' mount in place, and remove t' coupler before it became glued in.

Given me gaff, arrr, and me work-around solution, I hope it will nay cause problems in t' operation o' this two-stage rocket?

Construction Score: 3